RSS Feedhttps://10.40.239.129/blogs/rss-feed/Blog RSS Feeden{C4092254-D502-45EE-BE2B-9263AEE4CF91}https://10.40.239.129/blogs/2016/10/obesity-and-breast-cancer/Obesity and Breast Cancer: Reducing the Risks<p><b>What can you do to prevent cancer from coming back? </b></p>
<p>While many risks cannot be changed, one important risk factor you can control is your weight. In fact, women who lose weight and keep it off reduce their risk of breast cancer recurrence by 25 to 40 percent. They also reduce their risk of dying from breast cancer by 50 percent.</p>
<p><b>Why Your Weight Matters</b></p>
<p>Achieving and maintaining a healthy weight is important for a number of reasons: </p>
<ul>
<li>Your body needs to heal. The baggage of extra weight stresses your heart and puts you at risk for diabetes.</li>
<li>Extra weight combined with hormone therapies (such as tamoxifen and letrozole) leads to painful joints.</li>
<li>There is evidence that fat cells act as a breeding ground for cancer cells.&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<p>That is why two of your most effective weapons in your battle for a cancer-free future are exercise and a healthy diet. </p>
<p><b></b></p>
<p><b>Get Up, Get Out and Move</b></p>
<p>Thousands of women were studied after their breast cancer diagnoses to determine the impact of lifestyle changes on cancer recurrence. Women who exercised had a lower risk of breast cancer recurrence than women who did not.</p>
<p>There are lots of ways to add exercise into your life. Walk, run, take a class, ride your bike, join a gym. The goal is to increase your activity and to challenge yourself to do more. You&rsquo;ve survived breast cancer treatment! Compared to that, a brisk 30-minute walk is easy!<b><br />
<br />
</b></p>
<p><b>Eat Healthy, Whole Foods (That You Can Pronounce)</b></p>
<p>Making healthy choices about what you eat is the other part of the lifestyle equation. Here are a few guidelines:</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><b>Avoid sugar</b><b>.</b> Sugar breaks down in the body and is stored as fat (the cancer welcome mat). Sugar also acts as an inflammatory substance, further irritating sore joints. Eliminate the obvious, such as soda and candy, as well as empty-calorie processed foods like pasta and white bread. </li>
<li><b>Eat more protein. </b>Protein feeds muscles, and muscles burn calories more efficiently than fat. Skinless chicken, lean meats, eggs, peanut butter, legumes, and Greek yogurt are all healthy choices that feed your muscles. &nbsp;</li>
<li><b>If you can't pronounce it, don't eat it</b><b>.</b> Chemicals in food are foreign to the body&rsquo;s digestive system&mdash;it doesn&rsquo;t know what to do with them, so they get stored (usually as fat). Try to avoid processed foods, which just leave you feeling hungry anyway!</li>
</ul>
<p><b>Count Those Fat Grams! </b></p>
<p>You may be used to checking the carbs and calories on food labels frozen dinner; take a look at the fat grams, too. A 2005 study showed that women consuming 33g or less of fat per day lowered their risk of recurrence by about 20%, compared to women consuming 51g or more.</p>
<p>These simple steps make a big difference--not just in your survivorship odds but in how you feel everyday. You&rsquo;ve come this far&hellip;make the most of it! </p>Thu, 20 Oct 2016 00:00:00 -0600{6AF09FC2-E954-4E85-B890-231657CD2EA7}https://10.40.239.129/blogs/2016/10/7-symptoms-of-cataracts/7 Symptoms of Cataracts<a href="https://intermountainhealthcare.org/services/eye-care/conditions/cataracts/" target="_blank">Cataracts</a> are formed through the natural aging process as the initially clear eye lens becomes clouded, more rigid and hard.
<div><br />
</div>
<p>At some point, the maturing lens begins to opacify, blocking and scattering the light entering the eye. If left untreated, a cataract will naturally continue to progress.&nbsp; In some cases, the maturing cataract becomes completely white and can be seen in the mirror or by others.</p>
<p><br />
</p>
<p>
</p>
<h3>&nbsp;<strong>WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF A CATARACT?</strong></h3>
<ol>
<li>Difficulty reading: newspapers, books or medicine labels may be difficult to read even with the use of glasses or contacts.</li>
<li>Difficulty seeing in the distance: street signs, house numbers, or your neighbors&rsquo; faces may be difficult to identify even with the use of glasses or contacts.</li>
<li>Glare and halos around lights: driving at night may feel uncomfortable and it may be difficult to count the number of lights.</li>
<li>Difficulty seeing in bright light: vision may become excessively blurry in bright light and improve in darker areas.</li>
<li>Difficulty seeing in poor or dim light: reading menus in dark restaurants may be challenging</li>
<li>Difficulty walking or using stairs: limited depth perception and blurry vision can increase the risk of falls around the house or while running errands.</li>
<li>Difficulty seeing well enough to participate in hobbies or leisure activities: quality of life can be decreased as worsening vision can contribute to withdrawal from enjoyable activities.</li>
</ol>
<strong>
<h3 style="display: inline !important;">HOW ARE CATARACTS TREATED?</h3>
</strong>
<p>Once a <a href="https://intermountainhealthcare.org/services/eye%20care/conditions/staywell%20article/?vcdGuid=e62d9f60-e9b4-4038-80c8-67707bab22ab" target="_blank">cataract</a> is found affecting vision, the definitive treatment is surgical. Glasses, polarized lenses or weak dilating drops can be used to temporarily delay surgery, but with time, the cataract will continue to progress unless removed. The operation is typically a same-day procedure done with some sedation but not general anesthesia. Needle-sized instruments are used to remove the cataract and insert a permanent artificial lens.</p>
<p><strong>RELATED:</strong> <a href="https://intermountainhealthcare.org/blogs/2014/02/ways-to-compensate-for-low-vision" target="_blank">Compensating for Low Vision</a>
</p>
<strong>
<h3>HOW CAN THE RISK OF DEVELOPING A CATARACT BE REDUCED?</h3>
</strong>
<p>The biggest risk factor for developing a cataract is age; everyone will develop a cataract if they live long enough, and 1 in 6 people over the age of 40 in the United States has a cataract. That said, there are several modifiable risk factors:</p>
<ol>
<li>Smoking: cessation will improve not only the health of the eye but also many other organs in the body.</li>
<li>UV-B radiation: wear sunglasses when outside in the bright light.</li>
<li>Diabetes: work with a primary care physician to achieve good blood sugar control.</li>
<li>Malnutrition: eat a healthy well-rounded diet and consider taking a multivitamin.</li>
<li>Trauma: wear protective lenses when there is a risk of fast moving objects striking the eye (e.g. hammering, sawing)</li>
</ol>
<p><strong>RELATED:</strong> <a href="https://intermountainhealthcare.org/blogs/2015/03/orthokeratology" target="_blank">Orthokeratology</a></p>
<ol style="margin-top: 0in; list-style-type: decimal;" start="1"> </ol>Tue, 18 Oct 2016 00:00:00 -0600{2FF607DF-2C4D-45AD-AA73-C7F0C3BBEC5F}https://10.40.239.129/blogs/2016/10/my-new-home-at-intermountain-and-what-drew-me-here/My New Home at Intermountain, and What Drew me Here<strong>I got my first glimpse of &lsquo;the Intermountain way&rsquo; more than 20 years ago.</strong>&nbsp; It was 1990 and my wife Mary Carole (also a pediatrician) and I had been married just the day before. We boarded a plane and flew from Hanover, New Hampshire (home of Dartmouth Medical School) to Salt Lake City to begin Residencies (and later a Fellowship) at <a href="https://intermountainhealthcare.org/locations/primary-childrens-hospital/" target="_blank">Primary Children&rsquo;s Hospital</a>. From my earliest days here I was impressed with the deep commitment to putting patients first, the focus on improving quality, and commitment to finding the most efficient way to use resources to care for these vulnerable patients. &nbsp;The lessons I learned at Primary Children&rsquo;s shaped my career&mdash;and as the years passed and I watched Intermountain from a distance, my admiration only grew.
<div>&nbsp;
<p><strong>Let me share just a couple of the reasons I believe Intermountain is exactly the right place to be right now</strong> </p>
<p><iframe height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1bjWhN0vTZQ" frameborder="0" width="560"></iframe></p>
<p><strong>I believe Intermountain is perfectly positioned to be a world leader in transforming healthcare.</strong>&nbsp; Those are big words, I know.&nbsp; And we face some enormous challenges.&nbsp; We need to move toward population health and value-based care, which won&rsquo;t be easy.&nbsp; True population health means every <em>individual</em> in a population has access to quality healthcare.&nbsp; It&rsquo;s always personal.&nbsp; And it&rsquo;s only possible if, as providers and payers, we&rsquo;ve done everything we can to help create the conditions where people can live the healthiest lives possible.&nbsp; That means making people partners in their own health with the tools to stay healthy.&nbsp; It means taking excellent care of them when they&rsquo;re sick or injured in the most efficient way possible.&nbsp;&nbsp; It means organizing ourselves&mdash;our delivery system and payment models&mdash;to support optimal, sustainable healthcare.&nbsp; It won&rsquo;t be easy, but that leads me to one more thing that really sets Intermountain apart.&nbsp; </p>
<p><img alt="Marc-quote700" src="/~/media/Images/Modules/Blog/Posts/2016/10/Marc-quote700.png" /></p>
<p><strong>Intermountain&rsquo;s core competency&mdash;its defining feature&mdash;is the ability to change.</strong>&nbsp; Intermountain has a history of facing hard things and we&rsquo;ll need that resolve to face the challenges ahead. &nbsp;We face financial challenges in our operations.&nbsp; Healthcare costs are rising too fast and we need to be leaders in bending that cost curve.&nbsp; We face ongoing challenges in delivering the highest quality, safest care to our patients.&nbsp; And there is the challenge&mdash;amid all this change&mdash;to find creative, innovative ways to support our caregivers, <em>each other</em>, so that we can always find joy in our work.&nbsp; That&rsquo;s important too&mdash;and it&rsquo;s a stewardship I take very seriously as I assume this new role.&nbsp; </p>
<p>These are just a couple things, among many, that make me so proud to be part of Intermountain.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
<p><iframe height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/tBaw7MHBzIk" frameborder="0" width="560"></iframe></p>
</div>Sun, 16 Oct 2016 00:00:00 -0600{3D8947EB-C82F-4768-A205-E30734EBC4B3}https://10.40.239.129/blogs/2016/10/what-are-the-treatment-options-for-prostate-cancer/What Are The Treatment Options for Prostate Cancer<p>A cancer diagnosis is always scary, but luckily, most men with prostate cancer receive the diagnosis at an early stage. In fact, nine out of 10 men diagnosed with prostate cancer have tumors that are detected at the earliest stage.</p>
<p>For those who receive an early diagnosis, there are several treatment options to consider. Not every man with prostate cancer needs to be treated right away. If you have early-stage prostate cancer, there are many factors to consider such as your age and general health before you decide what to do. You should also think about the possible side-effects of treatment and how likely they are to bother you. Some men, for example, may want to avoid possible side-effects such as incontinence or erection problems for as long as possible. Other men are less concerned about side-effects and more concerned about removing or destroying the cancer.&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>RELATED: <a href="https://intermountainhealthcare.org/blogs/2016/09/a-better-way-of-doing-prostate-screening" target="_self">A Better Way of Doing Prostate Screening</a></strong></p>
<p>If you&rsquo;re older or have other serious health problems and your cancer is slow-growing (low-grade), you might find it helpful to think of prostate cancer as a chronic disease that will probably not lead to your death, but may cause symptoms you want to avoid. You may be more inclined to consider watchful waiting or active surveillance, and less inclined to consider treatments that are likely to cause side-effects, such as radiation and surgery. </p>
<p>If you&rsquo;re younger and otherwise healthy, you might be more willing to accept possible side-effects of treatment if they offer you the best chance for cure. Most doctors believe that surgery, external radiation, and brachytherapy all have about the same cure rates for the earliest stage prostate cancers. However, there are pros and cons to each type of treatment that should be considered, and the benefits should be weighed against possible risks and side-effects.</p>
<h2>Prostate Cancer Treatment Options</h2>
<h3>Active Surveillance</h3>
<p>The goal of active surveillance (sometimes called watchful waiting) is to closely monitor your prostate cancer to determine when treatment should begin. No medical treatment is provided. Prostate cancer is often slow-growing and may not pose an immediate health risk for some men. This approach may be used for early stage cancer if the risks and possible side-effects outweigh the possible benefits of treatment. It may also be used for men with significant health problems such as other cancers, heart disease, or lung disease. Monitoring your prostate cancer will be done through regularly scheduled prostate-specific antigen (PSA) tests, digital rectal exams (DRE), and biopsies determined by you and your physician. If these tests show the prostate cancer has begun to grow at a faster pace or involve more of the prostate, you and your physician will decide if and when to initiate additional treatment.</p>
<h3>Surgery: Radical Prostatectomy </h3>
<p>The goal of surgery is to cure the cancer by removing the prostate and all the cancer cells. This approach is generally used for cancer that hasn&rsquo;t spread outside of the prostate. Surgery lowers the long-term risk that the cancer will grow or spread, and the risk of death from cancer.</p>
<p>A radical prostatectomy removes the entire prostate, the seminal vesicles, part of the urethra that passes through the prostate, the end of the vas deferens and sometimes the surrounding lymph nodes. During this surgery the goal is to remove the cancer while maintaining your urinary control (continence) and your erectile function (potency). The nerves that control erections and help with continence are in very small bundles that run along the left and right sides of the prostate. When possible, the surgeon makes every effort to preserve these nerves. Your urologist will be able to tell you if these nerve bundles will be spared before surgery. Make sure to discuss this with your urologist.</p>
<h3>Radiation Therapy</h3>
<p>The goal of radiation therapy is to kill or shrink cancer cells by using high-dose radioactive exposure. This treatment targets the cells of the prostate and the immediately surrounding tissues, while sparing other cells in the body. The exposure may come from outside the body (external beam) or within the body (internal beam/brachytherapy). External beam radiation is an advanced mode of high-precision radiotherapy that uses very small beams of radiation aimed at the tumor from many angles.</p>
<p>With internal beam radiation, or brachytherapy, the radiation comes from radioactive material contained in very small implants called seeds. During a surgical procedure, dozens of seeds are placed inside needles, and the needles are inserted into the prostate. The needles are removed, leaving the seeds behind. Precise mapping is done prior to the surgery to ensure proper placement of the seeds. Over the course of several weeks to months, the seeds give off radiation to the immediately surrounding area, killing the cancer cells. Over time, the radioactive material degrades, and the seeds that remain are harmless.</p>
<h3>Hormone Therapy</h3>
<p>Prostate cancer grows in the presence of male hormones called androgens or testosterone. Testosterone is produced in the testicles and the adrenal gland. The goal of hormone therapy is to decrease the size of the prostate and slow the growth of cancer by lowering the level of testosterone. This is accomplished through medications or surgical removal of the testicles called an orchiectomy. Medications can be taken orally or given by injection. Hormone therapy alone won&rsquo;t cure the cancer. It&rsquo;s typically used in more advanced cancers or can be used as a second form of treatment along with radiation.</p>
<p>This treatment may be provided by your urologist, radiation therapist, or medical oncologist. If you&rsquo;re using multiple treatment approaches, all physicians involved in the treatment plan should communicate with one another.&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>RELATED: <a href="https://intermountainhealthcare.org/blogs/2016/09/how-your-diet-promotes-a-healthy-prostate" target="_self">How Your Diet Promotes a Healthy Prostate</a></strong></p>
<h3>Cryosurgery</h3>
<p>The goal of cryosurgery is to kill the cancer cells by freezing them. It&rsquo;s not a good option for men with large prostate glands or who have multiple disease sites. In this approach, several hollow probes (needles) are placed through the skin between the anus and scrotum. The doctor guides them into the prostate using transrectal ultrasound (TRUS). Very cold gases are passed through the needles, creating ice balls that destroy the cancer. Efforts are made to spare healthy tissue from freezing and warm saltwater is circulated through a catheter in the urethra to keep it from freezing. The catheter is kept in place for about three weeks while the patient recovers. Cryosurgery is less invasive than radical prostatectomy, so there&rsquo;s usually less blood loss, a shorter hospital stay, a shorter recovery period, and less pain than with surgery.</p>
<p>Doctors know much less about the long-term effectiveness of cryosurgery because it&rsquo;s a newer treatment for prostate cancer. Current techniques using ultrasound guidance and precise temperature monitoring have only been available for a few years. Outcomes of long-term follow-up care must still be collected and reviewed. For this reason, most doctors don&rsquo;t often use cryotherapy as the first treatment option for prostate cancer. It&rsquo;s sometimes recommended if the cancer has come back after other treatments or when patients are unable to undergo other treatment options.</p>
<h3>Chemotherapy</h3>
<p>Chemotherapy is the use of chemical agents to stop the growth of cancer cells. The goal of chemotherapy is to ease the symptoms of advanced prostate cancer by killing cancer cells that have spread to other parts of the body. It doesn&rsquo;t cure prostate cancer, but can reduce the amount of disease, which can prolong survival and decrease cancer-related symptoms, especially pain. Chemotherapy is only used in advanced stage prostate cancer because it&rsquo;s not curative and does have potential side-effects. It&rsquo;s given intravenously, generally every three weeks.</p>
<h3>Getting help with treatment decisions</h3>
<p>Making complex decisions about how to treat prostate cancer is often hard to do by yourself. You might find it helps to talk with your family and friends before making a decision. You might also find it helpful to speak with other men who have faced or are currently facing the same issues. The American Cancer Society and other organizations offer support programs where you can meet and discuss these and other cancer-related issues.</p>
<p>It&rsquo;s important to know that every man&rsquo;s experience with prostate cancer is different. Just because someone you know had a good (or bad) experience with a certain type of treatment doesn&rsquo;t mean the same will be true for you.</p>Fri, 14 Oct 2016 00:00:00 -0600{13A3E740-99E8-4319-8F58-9A819B74D5E1}https://10.40.239.129/blogs/2016/10/help-sensory-processing-issues-occupational-therapy/Finding Help for Sensory Processing Issues Through Occupational Therapy<p>&ldquo;The most important message for parents and children is to know that they are not alone, there are therapies that can help,&rdquo; said Cindy Bright, an occupational therapist at the <a href="/locations/orem-community-hospital/medical-services/pediatric-rehabilitation/" target="_blank">Pediatric Rehabilitation Clinic</a> at Orem Community Hospital. Bright also warned parents not to feel bad that they didn&rsquo;t realize these problems with their senses might be challenges beyond the toddler years. &ldquo;Hindsight is definitely 20/20 and it&rsquo;s hard to know which sensitivities will hurt your children&rsquo;s progress in school,&rdquo; said Bright.&nbsp;</p>
<h3>Why Now?</h3>
<p>The experience and changes that come with school can bring the sensory challenges to the forefront. Going into a loud bathroom, the distractions of background noise and even the irritation from the fluorescent lights in the classroom can cause distress for some kids. The resulting behaviors can leave parents wondering if they&rsquo;re dealing with ADHD.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Bright said doctors are getting much better at recognizing sensory processing disorders (SPD) versus attention deficit and hyperactivity, and parents should seek their advice. &ldquo;Your first step should be a visit to a pediatrician or family physician so your child can have a good check-up,&rdquo; said Bright. &ldquo;The doctor can then decide where to begin with treatment &ndash; and <a href="/services/physical-therapy/services/occupational-therapy/" target="_blank">occupational therapy</a> is frequently the best option.&rdquo;</p>
<h3>Help is Available</h3>
<p>Pediatric occupational therapists have the tools and expertise to help kids manage too much stimulation so they can feel comfortable and secure &ndash; which can help them function effectively. The therapists also work closely with parents and caregivers to teach processes and routines to encourage the development of a sensory lifestyle at home.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Sometimes it&rsquo;s as simple as an inflatable cushion on their chair at school and the table at home, to help with the need to be in motion. The child might need to sit in the front of the classroom to eliminate some of the distracting noises. The occupational therapist will help determine what specific procedures work best.</p>
<p>&ldquo;There are resources, in addition to therapy, that can help guide families through SPD. The <a href="https://www.spdstar.org/" target="_blank">STAR Institute</a> has some great information and links,&rdquo; suggested Bright. She also wants parents to remember that everyone interprets the world through the senses and most people have sensory quirks they learn to deal with. &nbsp;</p>
<p>&ldquo;If the seam of my sock gets under my toes it bugs me so much that I have to fix it so I can concentrate and move on,&rdquo; said Bright. &ldquo;Occupational therapy helps kids identify what bothers them and find tools and techniques to be successful in this sensory world.&rdquo;</p>Fri, 14 Oct 2016 00:00:00 -0600{126E5746-8725-457C-8066-CA7B8533DE4D}https://10.40.239.129/blogs/2016/10/6-things-you-need-to-know-about-mammograms/6 Things You Need to Know about Mammograms<p>A woman has a one-in-eight chance of developing breast cancer in her lifetime. Each year in the United States, 190,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer, and 40,000 of those women succumb to the disease. But if detected and treated early, breast cancer has a high survival rate.</p>
<p>Here are six important things to know about getting a mammogram:</p>
<ol>
<li><strong>They Work</strong> - Since the implementation of screening mammography in the early 1990s, deaths from breast cancer have fallen by more than 30 percent. Researchers at Intermountain Healthcare have shown that women are more likely to survive breast cancer if tumors are found during mammography rather than during a clinical exam.</li>
<li><strong>Know Your Schedule</strong> - Intermountain Healthcare and many other experts from around the country recommend the following breast cancer screening guidelines:</li>
<ul>
<li>Women age 20-39: Perform a breast self-exam monthly and a clinical breast exam every three years</li>
<li>Women age 40 and over: Perform a breast self-exam monthly, a clinical breast exam yearly, and have a annual mammogram</li>
<li>If you have a family history of breast cancer you should talk to your physician about beginning mammogram screenings earlier</li>
</ul>
<li><strong>It's Fast and Safe</strong> - Those who have a mammography have a small amount of radiation exposure. As for the discomfort, mammography tests are about 20 minutes long and discomfort is minimal. Some women don&rsquo;t feel it at all.</li>
<li><strong>Don't Jump to Conclusions</strong> - An unusual result that presents itself during a mammogram does not mean you have breast cancer. For every 1,000 women who have a mammogram only 100 are called for further testing and five are diagnosed with breast cancer.</li>
<li><strong>Prevention is Key</strong> - Mammograms can detect cancer early by showing changes in the breast up to two years before you can feel them. These early detections can prevent the need for extensive chemotherapy treatment.</li>
<li><strong>It's Not All About Genetics</strong> - 85 percent of women diagnosed with breast cancer have no family history of the disease. Many women mistakenly believe that if they have no family history of breast cancer, they don&rsquo;t need a mammogram and are not considered high-risk.</li>
</ol>
<p><strong>VIDEO - Dr. Teresa Reading discusses mammograms on Good Things Utah.</strong></p>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/fP-TrnhVF4E?rel=0&amp;showinfo=0" frameborder="0"></iframe>Thu, 13 Oct 2016 00:00:00 -0600{6BC5B670-8A71-451F-A577-C1254D142646}https://10.40.239.129/blogs/2016/10/why-pregnancy-can-make-you-have-weird-cravings/Why Pregnancy Can Make You Have Weird Cravings<p>Gotta have pickles and ice cream? How about a juicy bacon cheeseburger, or the world&rsquo;s biggest bowl of pineapple? Not all women get to fulfill their food dreams in a jar of pickles, but interesting food cravings are common when you&rsquo;re expecting. So, along with changes in your body during your pregnancy, you can also expect some changes to your appetite.</p>
<h2>What Causes Pregnancy Cravings</h2>
<p>Pregnancy cravings can be caused by a number of things, including hormones, a heightened sense of smell and taste, and nutritional deficiencies. Cravings typically begin during the first trimester and peak in the second trimester, but can happen anytime during pregnancy. If you find yourself reaching for something that makes your family and friends raise their eyebrows, know you&rsquo;re not alone. Let&rsquo;s explore some of the most common pregnancy cravings, and how to keep eating healthy during this important time.</p>
<h3>Pickles</h3>
<p>These salt-and-vinegar-soaked zingers are undoubtedly one of the most common food cravings for pregnant women. If you find yourself reaching for the dill pickles in the back of your fridge, it may because you have low sodium levels. Regardless of the cause, feel free to eat up. Pickles are low in calories and are an inexpensive snack to keep on hand.</p>
<h3>Chocolate</h3>
<p>Feeling low or depressed? Chocolate contains a naturally occurring chemical called tryptophan, which produces serotonin in your brain. Serotonin is responsible for secreting endorphins, which helps us experience positive emotion. Simply put, chocolate makes us feel happy. However, that chocolate bar is not all sunshine and roses. Chocolate is usually high in fat and calories and isn&rsquo;t the best choice when consumed in large doses. Instead of eating an entire king-sized candy bar, try tossing some chocolate chips in your yogurt, or drizzling a little melted chocolate over some fresh strawberries.</p>
<h3>Lemons</h3>
<p>It may seem unusual but it&rsquo;s common for pregnant women to crave lemons. Some women satisfy this craving by adding lemon to their water, which is a great way to stay hydrated. Some also crave eating the fruit itself. If you crave lemons like this, be sure to moderate your intake or use a straw. The juice from fresh lemons is known to erode tooth enamel, which can cause a number of uncomfortable dental problems.</p>
<h3>Soda</h3>
<p>Many women drink soda to ease morning sickness. However, because soda contains large amounts of sugar, it&rsquo;s not a great choice for pregnant women, especially women dealing with gestational diabetes. A healthier alternative is mineral water mixed with fruit juice or lime.</p>
<h3>Red Meat</h3>
<p>Red meats like beef are rich in iron and protein. Women who are experiencing iron or protein deficiencies often crave red meats to fulfill these mineral needs. Just remember, too much red meat may increase your risk of heart disease. The key to satisfying your craving for red meat without compromising your health is to choose leaner cuts. This means avoiding the fatty rib eye, and instead opting for sirloin cuts.</p>
<h3>Spicy Food</h3>
<p>During your pregnancy, you may feel so hot that even standing in a freezer couldn&rsquo;t satisfy your inner volcano. Try eating some curry, hot wings, or red peppers. Spicy foods will make your body sweat, which will naturally bring down your body&rsquo;s temperature. Our bodies trigger this on their own through cravings, or you can use this trick on purpose when you just want to cool off. If you find yourself reaching for spicy foods, just make sure they&rsquo;re baked and not fried so you&rsquo;re not consuming unwanted calories.</p>
<h3>Fruit</h3>
<p>When you&rsquo;re pregnant, your body is doing the best it can to make a healthy baby. Craving fruit is perfect because satisfying the craving provides your baby with vitamins and nutrients like vitamin C. Opt for fresh fruits instead of canned fruits in heavy syrup, since the canned option usually comes with a dose of sugar. If you&rsquo;re struggling with gestational diabetes, talk to your doctor about which fruits are best for you. Fruits like grapefruit and berries are lower in natural sugars, which make them a great choice.</p>
<h3>Dairy Products</h3>
<p>Ice cream and yogurt are go-to cravings for many pregnant women. This may be due to a calcium deficiency (or just loving ice cream). Head off these cravings with calcium supplements and calcium-rich food options like cheese and milk. If you just can&rsquo;t shake your craving for ice cream, try non-fat frozen yogurt with fresh fruit instead.</p>
<h3>Ice and Nonfood Substances</h3>
<p>Okay, ice isn&rsquo;t technically a &ldquo;food,&rdquo; but it&rsquo;s a legitimate craving for many pregnant women. If you&rsquo;re craving ice while you&rsquo;re pregnant, it could be an indication of anemia, <a href="http://www.babycenter.com/0_iron-deficiency-anemia-in-pregnancy_3073.bc">which is most often caused by an iron deficiency</a>. Pregnant women with anemia crave ice because it helps relieve the inflammation of the mouth and tongue (a common symptom of anemia).</p>
<p>Some pregnant women are surprised to find they experience a phenomenon called Pica, which is <a href="http://www.webmd.com/baby/features/pregnancy-food-cravings#2">the desire to eat nonfood substances</a>. In these cases, you may crave things like laundry starch, crayons, or dirt. These cravings may be due to an iron or zinc deficiency and satisfying these cravings may be as simple as loading up on foods rich in these minerals.</p>
<h3>Strange food Combinations</h3>
<p>Weird food combinations aren&rsquo;t uncommon for many pregnant women. Some women crave pickles wrapped in cheese, eggplant on pizza, and other strange food combinations they wouldn&rsquo;t normally eat. As long as the food choices are healthy, go for it! The cravings will only last for a short time.</p>
<h3>Beating Pregnancy Cravings</h3>
<p>One of the best ways to head off pregnancy cravings is to make sure you have well-balanced meals throughout the day. Eat breakfast, get regular physical activity, and make sure you have a lot of emotional support.</p>
<p>When cravings hit you hard, distract yourself. Go for a walk, play a game, visit a friend. If that&rsquo;s just not working, you can help satisfy cravings by paying attention to what your body is telling you, and finding an alternative.</p>
<p>If you still find yourself hankering for ice cream, have a little. Moderation is the key to a healthy diet during pregnancy. However, it&rsquo;s best to consult your healthcare provider if you&rsquo;re having cravings for things like starch, dirt, or Play-Doh. Having cravings for these non-food items could be a sign of a nutrient deficiency.</p>
<p>Pregnancy is a wonderful experience. Embrace the changes in your appetite, but make sure your cravings don&rsquo;t compromise your or your baby&rsquo;s health.</p>Tue, 11 Oct 2016 00:00:00 -0600{02A15DC1-88E3-47B1-98BC-B8C9F1D60600}https://10.40.239.129/blogs/2016/10/these-8-foods-cause-the-most-allergic-reactions/These 8 Foods Cause the Most Allergic Reactions<p>A food allergy is defined as when your body has an immune response to the protein in a food. So how do you know if you have a food allergy? Symptoms can be range from mild such as a runny nose, or swelling, itchy skin, or they can be very severe such as anaphylactic shock.</p>
<h2>Common Allergy Symptoms</h2>
<ul>
<li>Itching or swelling in and around the mouth</li>
<li>Runny nose</li>
<li>Stomach pain</li>
<li>Trouble breathing</li>
<li>Nausea or vomiting</li>
<li>Cramping</li>
<li>Diarrhea</li>
<li>Anaphylaxis</li>
</ul>
<p>Even though there are lots of foods that can cause allergies, just eight foods cause 90% of reactions. The most common allergenic foods are:</p>
<ul>
<li>Milk</li>
<li>Eggs</li>
<li>Peanuts</li>
<li>Tree nuts (walnuts and cashews)</li>
<li>Fish (salmon, tuna, cod, and tilapia)</li>
<li>Shellfish (shrimp, lobster, and crab)</li>
<li>Soy</li>
<li>Wheat</li>
</ul>
<p>So what causes food allergies? Some people are born with food allergies, but they can also develop later on. Food allergies are more common in children, and many kids outgrow them.</p>
<h3>What should you do if you have a food allergy?</h3>
<p>If you have a reaction to food, you need to see your doctor. It&rsquo;s important to have an allergy test to find out if it's actually a food allergy. The only treatment for a food allergy is complete and strict avoidance of that specific food. Many times food-allergic ingredients are labeled differently than their common names. You can work with a Registered Dietitian to learn about ingredients to avoid, food substitutions, label reading and food preparation techniques that eliminate cross-contamination.</p>
<br />
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/B5bJgW1ZpgA?rel=0&amp;showinfo=0" frameborder="0"></iframe>Tue, 11 Oct 2016 00:00:00 -0600{B81B1304-CB10-4313-9C69-4AF58BEA318C}https://10.40.239.129/blogs/2016/10/gordon-hayward-dislocates-fractures-finger/Gordon Hayward Dislocates, Fractures Finger<p>Typically the injury occurs due to a blunt force to the tip of the finger. The blow will force one of the phalanges in that finger out of the joint. The Jazz reported that Hayward dislocated and fractured his finger after getting it tangled in another player&rsquo;s jersey.</p>
<p>People with dislocated fingers need to seek immediate medical attention even before attempting to &ldquo;pop&rdquo; the finger back into place. The physician will then work to place the finger back into its normal position. X-rays are also taken at that time to identify if there is a fracture, which appears to be the case with Hayward.</p>
<p>Symptoms of a dislocation are pain, swelling, difficulty moving the finger, numbness, and a visible deformity.&nbsp; Treatments include mobilizing the finger combined with rest, ice, compression, and elevation. Surgery is needed for extensive damage to the ligaments and tendons. </p>
For more information, visit Intermountain&rsquo;s section on <a href="https://intermountainhealthcare.org/services/orthopedics/services/joint-dislocation/" target="_blank">Joint Dislocations</a>.Mon, 10 Oct 2016 00:00:00 -0600{DAB7E17D-35D6-4827-A695-E8C8FF2A3CCE}https://10.40.239.129/blogs/2016/10/good-bugs-for-your-gut/Good Bugs for Your Gut<p>Here&rsquo;s some ways to keep the good bugs happy and thriving:</p>
<p>1) Eat foods with &ldquo;probiotics&rdquo; (live, health &ndash;promoting bacteria)</p>
<ul>
<li>Kefir</li>
<li>Kimchi</li>
<li>Yogurt</li>
<li>Tempeh</li>
<li>Miso</li>
<li>Sauerkraut</li>
<li>Kombucha</li>
<li>Sour pickles</li>
<li>Buttermilk</li>
</ul>
<p>These foods are either cultured of fermented, processes that allow the development of good bacteria and inhibit the bad.</p>
<p>2) Eat foods with &ldquo;prebiotics&rdquo; (foods for probiotics, they contain a fiber that escapes digestion in the upper GI tract and travels to the colon to feed the probiotics.</p>
<ul>
<li>Chicory Root</li>
<li>Jerusalem Artichoke</li>
<li>Oatmeal</li>
<li>Onion</li>
<li>Dandelion Greens</li>
<li>Asparagus</li>
<li>Bananas</li>
<li>Garlic</li>
</ul>
<p>Yes, your gut is glorious and you want to keep it that way. If you are wondering what bacteria inhabit your gut, you can find out through the <a href="http://humanfoodproject.com/americangut/" target="_blank">Human Microbiome Project</a>. It can, for a small fee, analyze your gut bacterial population and enter into a their database and send you the results, also.</p>Fri, 07 Oct 2016 00:00:00 -0600